oh we all need to vent sometimes don't we? I am sorry about the husband situation. I'm sure that would make anyone want to vent.

I too confess for anonymously posting not-so-nice things about the DC Red Cross when the CPR instructor didn't show up one morning and made me miss work for nothing...still never got refunded, but oh well. Don't sweat the small stuff, right?

Ideas for a 65 yr old lady who likes gardening, healthy cooking and art. I feel like there is nothing I can get her that she doesn't already have. She doesn't wear jewelry, doesn't go to the spa...she mainly spends her time saving the Philippines, organizing cultural community events. I have no clue what to get her...I think I went to Pier 1 for the last several birthdays!

If you love the name that much ... yes, use it! My very close friend named her DC something very close to my DC's name—it is one letter off from being the same. No biggie.

I practically grew up there! It's a great neighborhood. Excellent schools, parks, local mini market, close to metro, close to restaurants and shopping, peaceful and everytime I drive through there I think how lush and green it is.

Anonymous wrote:Good grief--some people have to use every thread as a soapbox.

OP--back to your original question: I recently saw at Best Buy or Staples (can't remember) a small laptop made by Acer that is around $300. It is small--about the size of one of those portable DVD players. They are very nifty. I think it is called the Aspire One Netbook (presumably because it is mostly for internet use). Seems like it might be a nice (and less expensive) first computer. Check it out--I'm sure you can see pix, different models, etc, if you Google it or check out Best But or some such. Hope that's useful.

I second the Acer, we have one and it works great for such a great price! DCs use it while eating grapes, chips but most of the time nothing.

Computer time isn't fattening if DC bikes to the park before he does his autocad-lego program or mathblasters while eating a bowl of grapes.

DCs have been on our computers since they were 3. They enjoy typing the letters and watching it appear on screen. Then I had them hooked on a geographic puzzle game; and they quickly learned the states, European and African countries. Sometimes I let them play with my design programs where they can make shapes, colors, etc. They know how to navigate PCs and Mac interfaces...its so amazing to watch them.

But they also bike, swim, paint, draw, garden, build, read etc...

oh yes, I looked those up too! It won't budge. It tries to, but then stops. THis sucks, man...I can't burn a CD for class or my demo...rrrggghhh!!! I hope they have an iPod hookup. rrhhh!

Dropped my laptop : ( The CD is stuck in it. I've tried all the tricks to get it out...how much do you think it would cost to repair the CD/DVD drive?

mine aren't asleep yet.

going to fill up my glass now : )

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thanks for the tips! I appreciate those who say don't give it up, but at my age my doc says I probably shouldn't drink more than 3 glasses a week anyway. Something about it hitting you harder and breast cancer risk. Sometimes I feel like once you hit 40 all that's left are good books and a tiny quantity of chocolate. Not that those things are bad, but youth really is wasted on the young! Now that I know how to spot a really good wine, I can hardly drink it.

You know, I read the Post's coverage of the study (a sample of middle-aged British women) that found increased cancer risk with one drink a day. Now perhaps if one has a family history of cancer, particularly breast cancer, I could see being more concerned. But French and Italian women routinely drink wine with meals. Do they also have an elevated risk of cancer? I'd like to see more data, myself.

I saw something on Nat. Geo. a while ago about people with longest life spans and lowest cancer risk. At the top were people of Okinawa and Tuscany. They attributed it to relaxed lifestyles, and with Okinawans their seaweed/fish diet and the Tuscans their red wine and mediterranean diet. I would be interested to learn the stats for the French and Italian also. My grandmother is 85, cancer free, can still mow the lawn, dance across the floor and has a super clean bill of health. She drinks a small amount of red wine frequently, but it also helps that her diet is mainly fish/vegetables and stretches everyday.

I moved to DC to be near family even though part of me didn't want to. I LOVED living in Socal, but as my family grew (3 kids) so did exhaustion and expenses. Moving close to family makes life, at least for us, a million times easier and more fulfilling.

I don't have the beach down the street anymore, but my kids KNOW their grandparents, great-grandparents and all their cousins, aunts, uncles. I hate the cold weather here, but there's always an extra pair of eyes to watch my kids, always someone to help with anything I need. If my car breaks down, there's one to borrow. We eat at each other's places all the time which relieves cooking duty frequently. And In turn, they are getting older and appreciate our help with things they can't do anymore. And if anything should happen to them, I'm glad I will be here for them.

There's pros/cons to living in either place, but having a strong relationship with extended family is great for the kids. Plus the place you leave behind makes for a nice vacation destination. And who knows, maybe your path will not stop in Dallas.

Energy to enjoy my Friday night. I'm so sleepy!

ok, i'll do it and just tell my class I might be a little late. I just hope my performance starts on time! I hate being rushed, but oh well.